Where to Buy Gold and Silver: Online Dealers, Coin Shops, Banks and the US Mint

You can buy physical gold and silver in more places than most people expect: online dealers, local coin shops, a warehouse store, some banks, pawn shops and private sellers. The US Mint makes the best-known American coins, but it doesn't sell its bullion coins to the public.

Each place has a different mix of price, convenience and risk. The price you pay is never just the metal. It includes the dealer's markup, often shipping and insurance, sometimes sales tax, and later the gap between what you paid and what someone will pay you back.

This page lays the options side by side, then explains each one. Two terms come up often. Spot is the market price for one troy ounce of metal for immediate delivery (a troy ounce is about 31.1 grams, a little heavier than a kitchen ounce). The premium is what a seller charges above spot.

Where can you buy gold and silver?

The short answer: most buyers use an online dealer or a local coin shop. Here is how the main options compare.

No option is right for everyone. Whatever you choose, get the total price in writing and ask what the seller would pay to buy the metal back.

Can you buy gold directly from the US Mint?

Not bullion coins. The US Mint says it "does not sell American Eagle Bullion Coins directly" to the public.

Instead, the Mint sells bullion Gold and Silver Eagles to a network of large dealers called Authorized Purchasers. They must buy in very large amounts (orders start at 1,000 ounces of gold), then sell the coins on to smaller dealers and to the public.

The Mint's own price to those dealers sets a floor for what you pay. It charges them the London benchmark gold price plus 3% for a 1 oz Gold Eagle and 9% for a 1/10 oz coin. Silver Eagles cost them the benchmark silver price plus $3.05 a coin. Every dealer after that adds its own markup, so a new Eagle can't be bought at spot.

What the Mint does sell directly is proof coins. These are collector versions with a mirror finish, sold at fixed prices on the Mint's website. They contain the same metal, but you pay a lot more for the finish and the packaging. If you want metal for its gold or silver content, proof coins are an expensive way to get it. Our guide to bullion vs. collector coins explains the difference.

Do banks sell gold?

It depends on the bank, so the only way to know is to call yours and ask. Renting safe deposit boxes and selling metal are different services, so don't assume one means the other.

If your bank does offer coins or bars, treat it like any other seller. Ask for the price over spot, the total including any fees, and what the bank would pay to buy the metal back. Don't assume the bank's price is the lowest just because you trust the bank.

Is it safe to buy gold online?

It can be, if you check the dealer before you pay. Buying online is how many people get the widest choice and the easiest price comparisons.

The CFTC, the federal commodities regulator, says plainly that retail metal dealers "are not regulated at the federal level." That means the checking is up to you. The CFTC and FINRA suggest you verify the dealer's physical address and how long it has been in business, look for complaints with your state attorney general, and get every fee in writing before you buy.

To show what online prices looked like, here is one large online dealer on October 31, 2026, paying by check or wire:

The same dealer charged about 4% more to pay by card. These numbers change daily and differ from dealer to dealer, so treat them as an example, not an average. Our page on premiums and spreads explains why silver costs so much more above spot than gold.

For the full checklist, see how to buy gold online safely.

Buying from a local coin shop

A local coin shop lets you see the coin, ask questions face to face and walk out with your metal. There's no shipping and no box sitting on your porch.

Prices vary from shop to shop, and a small shop may charge more than a large online seller for the same coin. It's fair to ask a shop what it charges over spot and what it would pay to buy the same coin back today. A shop that answers clearly is easier to trust.

Some shops also sell collector coins, and a few may steer you toward them. Collector coins carry much bigger markups and are harder to sell at a fair price. If you came for bullion, it's fine to say so and stick to it.

A local shop is also a natural place to sell later, so a good relationship with one can help when the time comes. Our guide to selling gold and silver for a fair price covers that side.

Buying gold and silver at Costco

Costco sells gold bars and other bullion on its website. When we checked its precious metals page on October 31, 2026, it listed gold bars from several refiners, including a 1 oz Royal Mint Britannia bar. Items were marked "Members Only," some also "Online Only," and prices showed only after signing in.

So you need a membership, you order online, and the metal is shipped to you. Before you buy, compare the price with spot on the same day and with what a dealer charges for a similar bar. Also think about selling. The page we saw was set up for buying, so plan ahead for where you would sell a bar later, usually a dealer or a coin shop.

Pawn shops, private sellers and online marketplaces

These can sometimes be cheaper, but you take on more of the risk yourself.

A pawn shop prices metal as a business deal, and prices are usually open to haggling. Pawn shops buy from the public, so their stock is mixed, and you can't assume every piece has been tested. A private seller or online marketplace listing can look like a bargain, but you may have no way to get your money back if the coin turns out to be fake or never arrives.

The US Mint's advice applies here more than anywhere. It says to "use caution when responding to advertisements" in classified pages and online forums. It also says that if you are offered a coin below the market price, "extra scrutiny should be exercised." A price that is too good is the most common warning sign.

If you do buy this way, many buyers pay a reputable dealer or a lab to test the piece. Our guide to how to spot fake gold and silver explains the simple checks and their limits.

What does each option really cost?

The total cost has more parts than the sticker price. Before you compare sellers, add up all of them:

• The premium over spot, which is the seller's markup.
• Payment method. Card prices are often higher than check or wire.
• Shipping and insurance for anything sent to you.
• Sales tax, which depends on your state and sometimes on the size of the order. See sales tax on gold and silver.
• The spread, which is the gap between what you pay and what a dealer will pay you back. You don't pay it on the day you buy, but you feel it when you sell.

A quick check works with any seller. Multiply the weight of the metal by the spot price, then compare that with the quote. The difference is what you are paying for the coin or bar beyond its metal. If you want a printable list of questions, see 12 questions to ask a gold dealer.

The US Mint's tips for buying from anyone

The US Mint publishes a short consumer awareness page for bullion buyers. In plain words, it says:

1. Know the price. Spot prices change every day. Check the current price, and the usual premium for the coin you want, before you buy.
2. Be careful with low prices. A coin offered below the market price deserves extra scrutiny.
3. Know your seller. Research the dealer's reputation before you complete a purchase.
4. Check the coin. Does it match the Mint's published weight and diameter? Are the Mint's design features all there?
5. Ask who stands behind it. Is the coin certified by a third party, or does the seller put its weight and metal content in writing?

The Mint also says its Authorized Purchasers must "maintain a two-way market," which means they both buy and sell its bullion coins. That is one reason common government coins are among the easiest to sell later.

What gold and silver can't do

Wherever you buy, the metal works the same way once it is yours. It pays no interest or dividends. It costs money to buy and to sell, and you may pay to store and insure it. Prices can swing hard, and there can be long stretches when prices go nowhere.

Gains are also taxed when you sell. Long-term gains on gold and silver can be taxed at up to 28%, higher than the 20% top rate on most stocks. Our guide to how gold and silver are taxed explains how that works. If you are unsure whether metal fits your situation, talk to a fee-only fiduciary adviser.

Where to go next

If you are new to this, start with how to buy gold for the first time. If you have already chosen a dealer, check it with our online dealer checklist. And before you hand over any money, read the 10 red flags of gold and silver scams.